Challenges Faced by Women in Climbing the Corporate Ladder in a Private Company in the Gauteng Province of South Africa

Abstract

Despite significant progress in gender equality, women in South Africa continue to face numerous challenges in ascending the corporate ladder within private companies. The study explored the challenges experienced by women in climbing the corporate ladder in a private company in the Gauteng province of South Africa. In order to achieve this, a qualitative study was employed with the aid of open-ended questionnaire. A purposive sample of eight (8) participants were used until data saturation was reached. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The result of the study shows that gender discrimination, gender stereotyping, lack of management support, lack of mentorship, lack of peer support and the queen bee syndrome are some of the challenges experienced by female employees in climbing the corporate ladder in a private company in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The study recommended that the organisation should consider women in management positions and effectively implement the employment equity policies at the workplace as well as doing away with all types of discrimination at workplace.